California Represents at Fashion's Night Out

photo courtesy of fashionsnightout.com

The fashion world is brimming with excitement as plans for Fashion’s Night Out have been released. Fashion capitals in 13 countries around the world will join the festivities on Sept. 10 to celebrate fashion, promote retail and inspire consumers to shop. The event, which is organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the City of New York, NYC Company and Vogue, has over 700 retailers and designers across New York participating in the event. California-based designers and brands are well represented in the evening’s fashion lineup in New York City. Participants include Bebe, Vince, American Apparel, Seven for All Mankind, Arden B., St. John, Guess by Marciano, The Gap, Band of Outsiders, Lucky Brand, George Esquivel, Resurrection Vintage, James Perse, Poleci, Koi Suwannagate, Tom Binns, BCBG Max Azria, Max Azria, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Taryn Rose, Paige Denim, Hudson Jeans, Levi’s, Ed Hardy, Rodarte, Marchesa, Juicy Couture, Juan Carlos Obando, Geren Ford, True Religion Brand Jeans, William Rast and Trina Turk.

Organizers hope Fashion’s Night Out will be a fun way to invigorate the economy by inspiring consumers to shop. Stores are creating promotions, in-store events, and recruiting designers and celebrities to make personal appearances. With stores scheduled to stay open until 11 p.m. and many of the industry's brightest stars turning out for the evening – there will be appearances by Kate Mulleavy, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Alexander Wang, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Manolo Blahnik and more - the only problem might be not being able to do everything. To be sure there will be plenty of cocktails, food, fashion shows, makeovers and goodie bags to be had. And California will be out on the town. William Rast (does this mean Justin Timberlake?) will make an appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue, Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman and co-founder Keren Craig will appear at Bergdorf Goodman, and Rodarte’s Mulleavy will stop by both Opening Ceremony and Barneys New York.

Events vary from Band of Outsider’s quirky Thai tie truck that will sell ties and Thai-inspired desserts outside of Opening Ceremony to the extravagant recreation of BCBG’s Spring 2010 fashion show at its Fifth Avenue flagship boutique. At Paige Denim customers can preview the Spring 2010 collection and purchase exclusive one-of-a-kind designer pieces. And stylists will on hand at Hervé Léger by Max Azria to help guests shop for the perfect bandage dress from the Fall 2009 collection. If you’re in the mood for dancing, Juan Carlos Obando will be teaching salsa lessons at Barneys New York. And at Juicy Couture guests can lounge in the gentleman’s club, see Vogue Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles perform a Noel Coward play or sample hors d’ oeuvres from tuxedoed waiters on skateboards. 


It’s not all fun and games, though. In addition to supporting fashion, the event will also support charity. Forty percent of the proceeds from the official Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. In addition, the NYC AIDS fund will benefit from the official citywide Clothing Drive ,which will take place on Sept. 12.

For more information, visit the directory of participating designers and retailers on FashionsNightOut.com.